November 13, 2012

A few details from the agreement in principle for American's pilots

Details of the agreement-in-principle between American Airlines and its pilots are starting to come to light.

A pilot sent along a draft of the AIP document to Sky Talk and here are some of the highlights. The Allied Pilots Association board of directors is currently reviewing the agreement-in-principle and will decide on whether to send it to pilots for a ratification vote by the end of the week.

65- to 76-seat jets can be up to 25 percent of American's narrow-body aircraft fleet between 2012 and 2014. In 2015, those regional jets can make up 30 percent of the narrow-body fleet and then 40 percent in 2016.

American can enter into an unrestricted domestic code-sharing agreement with Alaska Airlines (but this is not specified for JetBlue Airways)

Domestic code-sharing in any 12-month period cannot exceed 50 percent of American's domestic mainline schedule monthly available seat miles and cannot codeshare on flights between American's hubs.

American will not furlough "R. Standifer, employee number 694773, or any pilot senior to R. Standifer" during this six-year contract. Congrats, R. Standifer!

There will be 5 pay groups determined by aircraft type. The Airbus A319 has been grouped with the Boeing 737, unlike American's previous proposals where the A319 was considered part of the regional jet pay group.

Two percent raises after the first and second years of the contract. After the third year, American will adjust pay based on the current industry rates. Two percent raises will be offered after the fourth and fifth years of the contract.

Pilots will be required to pay 18 percent of its healthcare premiums in 2013, with that percentage rising to 19 percent in 2014 and 20 percent in 2015.